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The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most talked about cards in the marketplace. It immediately draws attention anytime someone whips it out especially since its made of hefty metal. But, all that glitz and glam comes with a hefty $695 annual fee (Rates and Fees).So, is it worth it?
$695 is a lot of money, but if that $695 annual fee creates value in excess of $695, it’s a deal, right? That’s exactly how I look annual fees – they are the cost of doing business, and in business, both parties are happy when value is created. On the low end, I’ll extract $779 in value out of the card every year just in statement credits given toward items I purchase anyways.
Personally, I keep The Platinum Card® from American Express because it provides a lot of value for WHEN I travel, and ultimately put more spend on my Amex Gold to earn points TO Travel. Both are great cards, but let’s break this bad boy down so you can make an educated decision on whether it’s worth it to you or not.
- Best of 2024
Via Resy: 100k after $8k spend in 6 months + 10x Dining (up to $25k max in 6 months)
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.
Reader Referral: 175k after $8k in 6 months
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a heavy hitter, and not just because it’s made of metal.
This is a card I carry and is jam packed with benefits including lounge access, VIP travel benefits, and a ton of statement credits.
Welcome Offer
Two offers listed
Annual Fee
Points Earned
Transferrable American Express Membership Rewards
A card we carry and love. The Platinum Card® from American Express is chock full of benefits
You’ll also have access to Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Amex’s own uber lux Centurion Clubs, earn 5x points on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or Amex Travel, access to Amex’s own Fine Hotels and Resorts program for upgrades, breakfast, and credits, earn $15 a month in Uber credits (enrollment required), and their Membership Rewards are some of the best points you can possibly earn.
I love using their points to transfer to programs like Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Emirates, Avianca, Qantas, and many, many more.
- $695 annual fee *Rates and Fees; terms apply
- Up to $200 Hotel credit
- up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®.
- The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay
- $200 Uber Cash:
- Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December.
- That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only.
- Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit:
- CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Up to $120 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck® credit (enrollment required )
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or
- a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Up to $240 Digital Entertainment Credit (enrollment required )
- Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal.
- Up to $200 airline incidental credit (enrollment required )
- Up to $12.95 + tax / month Walmart+ membership
- Walmart+ members receive unlimited free shipping with no order minimum on items shipped by Walmart.com, free delivery from stores, as well as mobile and contactless check-out to make shopping faster.
- Centurion lounge access
- Priority Pass select membership (enrollment required )
- Rental Car Status
- Hertz President’s Circle
- Avis Preferred Plus
- National Executive
- Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts, The Hotel Collection
- 5x on airfare purchased via Amex Travel or with your selected airline
- *Rates and Fees; terms apply
150k after $6k spend in 6 months along with 15x worldwide dining ( up to $25k ) was the best we ever have seen publicly through Resy. However, the 150k referral without the dining is pretty hard to beat imo.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
A quick overview of the benefits:
What do you get for $695 a year?
- $695 annual fee *Rates and Fees; terms apply
- Up to $200 Hotel credit
- up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®.
- The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay
- $200 Uber Cash:
- Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December.
- That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only.
- Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit:
- CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Up to $120 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck® credit (enrollment required )
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or
- a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Up to $240 Digital Entertainment Credit (enrollment required )
- Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal.
- Up to $200 airline incidental credit (enrollment required )
- Up to $12.95 + tax / month Walmart+ membership
- Walmart+ members receive unlimited free shipping with no order minimum on items shipped by Walmart.com, free delivery from stores, as well as mobile and contactless check-out to make shopping faster.
- Centurion lounge access
- Priority Pass select membership (enrollment required )
- Rental Car Status
- Hertz President’s Circle
- Avis Preferred Plus
- National Executive
- Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts, The Hotel Collection
- 5x on airfare purchased via Amex Travel or with your selected airline
- *Rates and Fees; terms apply
Personally I will undoubtedly use the $200 hotel credit (enrollment required ), $199 Clear Credit (enrollment required ), $200 Uber Cash , and $200 incidental airline free credit (enrollment required ). That’s $779 of the $695 without including Priority Pass, Centurion Lounge, etc. Wait, that’s more than the card is worth itself.
Do you qualify?
Amex has a once in a lifetime clause that limits the ability to get a welcome offer more than once, so if you’re had the Platinum card before, you may not qualify for the welcome offer.
Is this the best offer we’ve seen?
The best offer currently is via referral and is 125k after $6k min spend
Great ways to use American Express points: transfer partners
Amex points are some of the most valuable points in the biz. Just look at all of these partners listed below, but if you really want to get a good taste of how luxuriously you can travel with them, read this article on their best uses.
As I mentioned, I have an entire post dedicated to some truly awesome ways you can use your points. The best ways, in my opinion, to make use of American Express points are by utilizing their long list of transfer partners.
One of my favorite ways to fly is Lufthansa First Class which can be accessed by transferring to Aeroplan, Avianca, ANA, or Singapore Airlines.
Here are benefits I think outweigh the $695 fee
1) 5x points on airline purchases made with the airline of your choosing or Amex Travel
- This is the highest earn rate for any card on the market for indiscriminate airline spend ( Jetblue has a 6x card solely on Jetblue). If you value Amex points at 2 cents a piece…you’re essentially getting 10% off every qualifying flight.
If you spend $1000 a year on your card – you’re earning 5k points back. That’s $75 at a 1.5 c valuation and $100 at 2c.
2) Up to $200 Hotel credit
This is a brand new credit that applies to pre-paid bookings with Amex Travel on American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts and The Hotel Collection bookings. I absolutely love the Fine Hotels and Resorts program and will undoubtedly make use of this credit every year
For instance, if you were to book the Delano in Las Vegas for 2 nights over Valentine’s Day 2022, you’d nearly wipe out on of the nights
Plus you’d get all of the typical FHR benefits which include another $100 food and beverage credit, upgrade, breakfast, and 4pm check out. More on this program down below.
3) Up to $200 Uber Cash Credit
- $15 a month and $35 in December on Uber
- Valid in the US Only
- You need to enroll your card by adding it to your profile and selecting it as a payment option
Not everyone makes use of this perk like I do, but I’d be spending $15 a month on uber every month regardless of the perk. It’s an easy $200 recoupment for me. .
4) Up to $200 Airline Incidental credit
- You must select an airline for the fee to trigger – this will enroll you.
- Each calendar year – which means if you apply now, you’ll get $200 this year, and then another $200 starting 1/1/21
I easily make use of the card each and every year I hold the card. Read this for tips, but it’s a solid $200.
5) Up to $120 Global Entry Fee Credit or $85 TSA PreCheck® credit ( enrollment required )
- Up to $120 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck® credit (enrollment required )
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or
- a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Global Entry is a phenomenal program that expedites your immigration when entering the country. It’s saved me hours and hours of time over the years.
6) Up to $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit
Clear basically expedites your security experience. If you already have TSA Pre this will pop you to the front of that line. If you don’t, you’ll just skip to the front of the normal line. Either way, it’s saved me many a time.
- you need to enroll in Clear to qualify
I’ve had Clear for a few years now, and it’s extremely helpful if you live at a busy airport, not as much elsewhere. In LA, Atlanta, and NYC it’s literally been the difference between making and missing my flight.
Travel is ramping up, and security lines are getting fuller and fuller. It’s a no brainer to pay for it with your Amex Platinum.
Don’t forget to link your Delta SkyMiles account, you’ll get a discount on the yearly subscription which easily puts it under the credit your card gives you.
7) Up to $300 yearly Equinox credit (enrollment required )
I have several friends who are loyal Equinox members and this would be a benefit they’d surely make us of. Personally, I may download the Equinox+ app and see how the workouts are…it’s discounted for Amex Platinum cardholders so it’s a push. Regardless, for those who are members…it’s an easy $300 if you have an eligible membership:
- The credit goes towards monthly Equinox All Access, Destination, E by Equinox, or Equinox+ memberships fees
8) Up to $240 digital entertainment credit ( enrollment required )
Amex has added in a $20 per month credit when you use your Platinum card for eligible purchases at Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. It’s capped at $20, not $20 per company.
I’ve been using this on Hulu with an add on of Showtime.
Take a look at the restrictions as well.
(Peacock: Eligible purchases for Peacock include all Peacock subscriptions, including but not limited to Peacock Premium and Premium Plus, made directly online at peacocktv.com . Eligible purchases do not include subscriptions bundled with cable services or other bundles, promotional offers through third parties, or gift cards. Audible: All Audible purchases made directly through audible.com are eligible, including Audible subscriptions (Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus) and audiobook purchases. SiriusXM: Eligible purchases for SiriusXM include purchases made directly with SiriusXM (US) online at siriusxm.com, through SiriusXM telephone sales, or direct mail order purchase transactions. Eligible purchases do not include SiriusXM safety, security, or Telematics services (Connected Vehicle), SiriusXM for Business subscriptions, SiriusXM ad sales, or Pandora. The New York Times: Eligible purchases for the New York Times include any subscriptions (including digital or print news, NYT Cooking, and New York Times Games) made directly through nytimes.com. Eligible purchases do not include advertising services, NYT conferences, gift cards, the Times Digest , or purchases from the NYTimes company store)
9) Cell Phone Protection
If you pay your cell phone bill with your Amex Platinum you now have cell phone insurance. The prior’s month bill must be paid with your card, but the actual phone itself doesn’t need to be purchased with your Amex Platinum.
- Reimbursement, up to $800
- Towards the repair or replacement
- If damaged or stolen
- $50 deductible
- 2 approved claims per 12 months.
10) Centurion Lounge access
I probably visit Centurion lounges 1/2 a dozen times a year. At just $5 saved on a coffee or beer it’s worth min $30.
- Best of 2024
Via Resy: 100k after $8k spend in 6 months + 10x Dining (up to $25k max in 6 months)
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.
Reader Referral: 175k after $8k in 6 months
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a heavy hitter, and not just because it’s made of metal.
This is a card I carry and is jam packed with benefits including lounge access, VIP travel benefits, and a ton of statement credits.
Welcome Offer
Two offers listed
Annual Fee
Points Earned
Transferrable American Express Membership Rewards
A card we carry and love. The Platinum Card® from American Express is chock full of benefits
You’ll also have access to Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Amex’s own uber lux Centurion Clubs, earn 5x points on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or Amex Travel, access to Amex’s own Fine Hotels and Resorts program for upgrades, breakfast, and credits, earn $15 a month in Uber credits (enrollment required), and their Membership Rewards are some of the best points you can possibly earn.
I love using their points to transfer to programs like Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Emirates, Avianca, Qantas, and many, many more.
- $695 annual fee *Rates and Fees; terms apply
- Up to $200 Hotel credit
- up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®.
- The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay
- $200 Uber Cash:
- Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December.
- That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only.
- Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit:
- CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Up to $120 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck® credit (enrollment required )
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or
- a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Up to $240 Digital Entertainment Credit (enrollment required )
- Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal.
- Up to $200 airline incidental credit (enrollment required )
- Up to $12.95 + tax / month Walmart+ membership
- Walmart+ members receive unlimited free shipping with no order minimum on items shipped by Walmart.com, free delivery from stores, as well as mobile and contactless check-out to make shopping faster.
- Centurion lounge access
- Priority Pass select membership (enrollment required )
- Rental Car Status
- Hertz President’s Circle
- Avis Preferred Plus
- National Executive
- Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts, The Hotel Collection
- 5x on airfare purchased via Amex Travel or with your selected airline
- *Rates and Fees; terms apply
150k after $6k spend in 6 months along with 15x worldwide dining ( up to $25k ) was the best we ever have seen publicly through Resy. However, the 150k referral without the dining is pretty hard to beat imo.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
11) Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Insane benefits including
- Upgrade upon arrival when available
- Unique property amenity ( this is usually in the range of a $100)
- Free continental breakfast
- Early Check-in and guaranteed 4pm late check out
FHR offers incredible value if you like to stay at high end resorts and hotels. The breakfast and property credit are easily worth a couple hundred on every stay over 2 nights. I’ve also had great success with double upgrades, and having a guaranteed 4pm late check out is huge when you have a late flight, and a distinct advantage of Virtuoso.
What’s even better…if you pre-pay the hotel…you’ll earn 5x points on it as well.
12) Hotel Elite Status ( enrollment required )
You’ll need to link both of your Marriott and Hilton accounts, and once you do… you are now carrying elite status in two hotel chains.
- Marriott Gold
- Hilton Gold
Why spend a gazillion nights staying at hotels when your credit card can get you mid-tier status. Hilton Gold is especially nice as it gives you free breakfast credit when using points for your stay.
13) up to $100 Saks Fifth Avenue annual credit
- $50 for each 6 months of the year
- note that you need to enroll your card in order to trigger the credit
Once between Jan and June you’ll get $50 back as a statement credit, and then again between July and December. Even if you don’t shop for high end apparel, or accessories, Saks sells a ton of toiletry items that this credit offsets. Think Kiehls, Fekkai, etc
14) Priority Pass Membership
- Access to the global network of lounges and restaurants
- You do need to enroll your card in order to enjoy this benefit
15) International Airline Program
I’ve some absolutely fantastic deals on airfare ( Premium Economy and up ) via the IAP. Highly worth checking out before you book elsewhere. Note that you must be on one of the following airlines departing from the US in Premium Economy, Business, or First Class.
Bonus Reasons:
Amex Offers
- These are targeted spend offers that each cardholder can take advantage of by fulfilling spend requirements with certain retailers. The opportunities are frequently updated, and I’ve found that these alone could pay you back for an annual fee.
And Referrals points – 100k a year
You can earn up to 100k points per card every single year. In fact, you can add your referrals to this post. It gets a lot of traffic so many are earning quite a few referral bonuses from us.
Overall:
While the $695 is a lot, I personally, am able to get over $1000 a year in benefits without even taking into account a welcome offer, or the other benefits like Rental car status, rental car insurance, global lounge collection, etc .
What’s even better is how much the card can improve the way you travel. Having a lounge access while you wait can make delays and layovers so much more bearable, and having status at hotels less costly at check out because of comped wifi, upgrades, breakfast, or even just in-room bottled water. Regardless, if you’re a travel geek like me, this card provides an incredible amount of value year after year
To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured, please visit the following links: American Express Platinum Card: See Rates and Fees
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 5x on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services for takeout & dining out
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit via Chase Travel℠
- The begins immediately for new cardmembers and after your account anniversary for existing cardmembers
- 2x on all other travel
- 10% Anniversary Bonus
- Every year you keep the card, your total spend will yield a 10% points bonus. If you spend $10k in a year, you’ll get 1k bonus points
- Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to redeem at 1.25c in the Chase Travel℠ and the slew of other benefits remain in tact including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver ( primary ), purchase protections, etc.
- Points are transferrable to 14 Ultimate Rewards partners
- Redeem in Chase Travel℠ for 1.25 cents per point
- No foreign transaction fees
- Suite of Travel and Purchase Coverage
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver is my favorite
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- $95 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists the best ever offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Historically 80k is a very, very good offer and hit in both 2022 and 2023. In 2021, we saw the offer hit an all time high of 100k. Who knows if that will ever come back.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is exceptional starter card and offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards, and pairs well with other Chase cards.
If you carry this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the business versions: Ink Business Cash® , Ink Business Unlimited® you can combine the points into Preferred account and transfer into hotel and airline partners
Annual fee is quite low at $95 a year + you get a 10% anniversary bonus on points + $50 hotel credit in Chase travel.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.